TORONTO, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) is leading by example by embracing the micro Feed-in Tariff (microFIT) Program under the Green Energy Act to provide renewable energy to Ontario's power grid. Working with PURE Energies, BILD has installed an 80-panel solar photovoltaic array on the roof-top of its headquarters building in the Don Mills area of Toronto.

The solar rooftop, which will produce about 15,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, was the next logical step in the greening of the headquarters building for the residential construction industry which has been exhaustively upgraded for energy efficiency, and has a plethora of motion sensors, timers and set-back switches installed throughout the 20,000 square foot facility.

"This solar project is an example of the active role the residential construction industry is playing in Ontario's clean energy economy. Ontario's energy plan is creating jobs and opportunities for businesses and families across Ontario as we continue to build a clean, modern energy system," said the Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy.

The solar PV installation not only generates revenue for the partners, but more importantly assists Ontario in its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and most importantly, provides a highly visible example to residential home builders within the GTA and across Ontario.

"We are not in the business of telling our builders what to do, but we are happy to lead by example and to provide information and education to builders on best practices in sustainable development and green building," said BILD President and CEO Stephen Dupuis.

Dupuis noted that the 20 Upjohn Road facility is home to BILD as well as the Ontario Home Builders' Association, and, fittingly, the EnerQuality Corporation, which administers the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program across Ontario. "Homebuilders visiting at 20 Upjohn Road for forums, workshops or governance meetings won't be able to miss the roof-top solar panels mounted along the south perimeter, but even if they do, an HD screen mounted in the lobby will continually display the performance of the roof-top mounted panels," Dupuis stated.

"We are extremely proud to be a part of this project, which is an excellent example of the public policy of the Green Energy Act meeting the private investment of PURE Energies and the industry leadership of BILD," added Chris Stern, PURE Energies' Vice-President of Builder Relations. "We are looking forward to industry-wide adoption of PURE Energies' solar community with the ultimate goal of increasing the value of homes by turning them into a dividend paying investment at no cost to either the builder or to the homeowner."

With a reputation for leadership by example, BILD was recently recognized as the 2009 EnerQuality Leader of the Year. The Association has undertaken a number of pro-active green initiatives including green education and training partnerships as well as demonstration projects like the Archetype Sustainable House. BILD is one of four Ontario HBAs selected to participate in the Local Energy Efficiency Partnership / Technology Adoption Pilot, administered by EnerQuality and sponsored by Natural Resources Canada.
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About BILDWith more than 1,350 members, BILD, formed through the merger of the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association and Urban Development Institute/Ontario, is the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area. BILD is proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations.

About PURE EnergiesPURE Energies is a Canadian company based in Toronto and founded by solar and finance specialists. The company brings international experience to Ontario in order to provide a full turnkey solution for residential PV by designing, installing, financing and operating residential rooftop systems with a twenty year performance guaranty.

To obtain media registration for this event, please contact Andrei Zaretski, Manager of Marketing and Media Relations, at 416-391-3450 or 416-843-4898 orazaretski@bildgta.ca.